Review of biosecurity parameters included in assessments of pig and ruminant farming systems with outdoor access

The assessment of biosecurity is frequently adapted to indoor farms, and less attention is provided to alternative systems with outdoor access. The objective of this study was to identify which parameters are considered or not in the assessment of biosecurity for pig and ruminant farms with outdoor access. Thirty-one and forty-one articles for pigs and ruminants, respectively, assessing biosecurity in farms with outdoor access in Europe and neigh- boring countries, America, and Oceania were selected from a previous scoping review on biosecurity. Forty-seven and forty-nine biosecurity parameters for pigs and ruminants, respectively, considered relevant for outdoor systems were pre-defined by the authors and screened from the articles. Secondly, the articles were categorized in whether the assessment of risk factors towards diseases was conducted or not to assess its impact on parameter inclusion. Fencing, policy for visits or quarantines, testing of purchased animals or management of carcasses were highly assessed. The management and hygiene of lands and outdoor surfaces and the use of vehicles within them were assessed in less than 10% of the articles. Most of the wildlife-related parameters screened were assessed in less than 30% of the articles. Finally, 5 and 6 parameters were included in lower proportion of articles assessing risk factors towards a disease for pigs and ruminants, respectively, suggesting a tailored approach for these questionnaires. The high diversity of methods assessed in the present paper indicates a need for inclusion of under-assessed parameters for the assessment of biosecurity in systems that have access to outdoor areas.